Edward NortonandElizabeth Brown

The following is an excerpt from the book "The Descendants of Mercer (Messer) Norton 1750?-1800? and His Wife Martha" compiled by Erma Dell Melton Smith and Mildred Dulaney, 1983

Edward and Mary Norton were born in Ireland, probably Armagh County, date unknown but around 1715-1720. They were both Quakers and immigrated to the Pennsylvania settlements in America where the first records for them appeared.

"Edward Norton, of West Nottingham, Cester, Co., son of Edward Norton of ye City and Parish of Armagh, Ireland, deceased, was married 8 mo. 16, 1739, at Nottingham Mo. Mtg., to Elizabeth Brown, Daughter of William Brown."

To read more about Edward and Elizabeth and their Quaker background, view the history on William Brown, Sr.

Edward and Elizabeth Norton moved to North Carolina in 1762 as noted in Quaker records of transfer as Edward and wife Elizabeth and five minor children. Their oldest children, William and Margaret, received separate transfers. They moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, which became Guilford County in 1770, and present day Randolph County in 1778, attending first the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, then New Garden Monthly Meeting, then Center Monthly Meeting as the membership was split up with increasing members. On 13 September 1778 Edward Norton died and was buried at Providence Cemetery. He left a will which was probated in Randolph County, North Carolina, although the will says he lived in Guilford County. This is due to the formation of Randolph County from Guilford County in 1778, as all three sons are listed on the Land Tax Lists for Randolph County in 1779. A copy of Edward Norton's will follows. This will was probated 9 September 1782 and then Elizabeth Norton of Randolph County was married a second time, 20 November 1782, to Thomas Branson. On September 28, 1791 Elizabeth Branson died and is probably buried in Randolph County, N.C.

The children of Edward and Elizabeth Norton numbered at least seven from the Quaker records. We have names for only six from Edward's will. William and Margaret are undoubtedly the two oldest, and mary and Edward are probably the youngest. Messer (Mercer) and Elizabeth come in between. The seventh may be Richard as there is a Richard Norton mentioned as being disowned on 31 March 1770, in the New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina, where Edward's family was worshipping at the time. It is possible that the seventh child died and was therefore not named in the will.